Cats gets a wild new lease of life on broadway

Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1981 musical Cats has undergone many transformations since its inception, from its intricate choreography to its garish 2019 film adaptation. But the latest iteration, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, offers the most surprising and refreshing take yet on T.S. Eliot's whimsical feline poems.

Ball culture meets broadway

Directors Zhailon Livingston and Bill Rauch have grafted the vibrant spirit of underground ball culture onto Cats, marrying the two seemingly disparate entities into a captivating spectacle.

The Jellicle Ball, which premiered in a downtown space and has now transferred to broadway, pays homage to the queer ball scene that originated in Harlem in the 1970s as a space for Black and brown queer individuals to express themselves freely.

With a cast comprised of young, talented performers from diverse backgrounds, the show brings together broadway's traditional theatricality with the raw energy and physicality of the ball scene.

From the opening notes, it's clear that this Cats is different. A DJ spins vinyl records, and the performers emerge in eclectic, avant-garde costumes that set the tone for a night of unbridled celebration.

Each actor gets their moment to shine, with standout performances from newcomers like Chasity Moore, Dava Huesca, Jonathan Burke, and Emma Sofia, alongside elder statesmen André De Shields and Junior Labeija.

While the show's core remains faithful to Webber's score, the production injects new life into the familiar songs with the pulsing rhythms and beats of the ball scene. It's a testament to the show's success that even the most devoted Cats fans will find something fresh and exciting in this bold reinterpretation.